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Who We Are
We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, are a Roman Catholic congregation of women founded in France around 1650. We have been in Toronto since 1851.
As a religious community, we are brought together by the love of Christ. We are called by God, the Gospel and the Church to serve those in need in simplicity and compassion and to pursue social justice and equality for all. We are committed to nurture community with those who are homeless, alienated or poor, women at risk, and our wounded earth. We continue our long tradition of meeting unmet needs with life-giving ministries.
Our ministries serve seniors, young adults, newcomers to Canada and those who are alienated and economically disadvantaged. We care for all creation with a special emphasis on clean drinking water as a human right. We invite others to collaborate with us in our mission and ministry and participate in our spirituality.
Journey for Justice Newsletter
Our quarterly newsletter from our social justice ministry shares exciting initiatives that, we hope, will inspire you to join us in working for a world transformed by Gospel values of peace, justice, and creation care.
CSJ Land Acknowledgement
Out of deep respect for those who have cared for these lands since time immemorial, we are committed to tread lightly on the land, protect water as sacred, and affirm our desire for right relations with all Indigenous Peoples.
What We Do
Social Justice
Education, advocacy, prayer and action.
Care of Earth
Embracing the call to defend and protect God's earth.
Spiritual Accompaniment
Discerning God’s action in your life.
News & Reflections
Essential but Disposable Labour
An eight-part podcast documentary featuring the voices of migrant workers in Canada.
Connect
170 Years of Service
A Collection of Essays on the History and Mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
Edited by Elizabeth M. Smyth and Linda F. Wicks
The seven essays in this volume trace the roots of the Sisters of St. Joseph from their biblical and medieval foremothers, through the Congregation’s activities in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Alive Through Play
An Artbook by Sister Virginia Varley
Sister Virginia Varley is a Sister of St. Joseph of Toronto and a self-described abstract artist. In her book, Alive Through Play: Challenged by Art Mediums, Sister Virginia shares “some of the deep reflection on my own paintings and the layers of newly found realities that have emerged for me.”
Alive Through Play is available for a one-time donation of $30 to Fontbonne Ministries.
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In Memoriam
We remember with gratitude the lives and contributions of:
Sister Barbara Grozelle
Sister Barbara was a compassionate nurse and a dedicated volunteer and teacher.
Sister Gwen Smith
Sister Gwen is remembered as a Sister who cared for the poor and all of creation.
Sister Marie MacNamara
Sister Marie's ministries included teaching, spiritual direction, leadership, and more.
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Support Fontbonne Ministries
Fontbonne Ministries is a Sister-founded and now-independent charity that addresses pressing societal needs such as housing, outreach, community, food support and more.